What is Diabetes?

Diabetes Mellitus, or diabetes, is a chronic metabolic disorder wherein the body’s blood glucose is elevated. This is due to the body’s inability to produce insulin or the body cell’s failure to respond to it. The most common diabetes symptoms are increased thirst, increased hunger and excessive urination.

There are 3 primary kinds of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is a condition wherein the body produces too little insulin or cannot produce insulin at all. This is because of an autoimmune function wherein the body attacks its own insulin producing cells. According to researchers, common type 1 diabetes causes are viruses, genetic factors and other diseases that predispose you to type 1 DM. This appears early in life and is also called juvenile onset diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is a condition wherein the body in unable to use the insulin it produces. This usually appears in adults above 40 and is caused one’s lifestyle. This is also known as adult onset diabetes. Gestational diabetes appears only during pregnancy and usually disappears after child birth. Out of the 3, only type 1 and 2 DM are chronic.

Diabetes treatment should be taken seriously. Without proper management many dangerous complications can arise. For those who have normal sugar levels, diabetes prevention is better than cure. Because once you have diabetes there is no turning back.  Those who have diabetes are encouraged to follow a diabetes diet, engage in regular exercise and take their medications on time. One complication of diabetes is hypoglycemia or low blood sugar. This can occur in people without metabolic problems. However this is common in patients undergoing diabetic treatment. The most common hypoglycemia causes are overmedication and failing to follow the correct time schedule. Even though the goal of diabetes management is to decrease blood sugar levels it should be done carefully. Having low blood sugar is bad for the body because the body still needs glucose to function. Common symptoms of hypoglycemia are nervousness, intense hunger, trembling, sweating, cold clammy skin, dizziness and palpitations. Of course the best way to manage diabetes is in being informed. Knowledge is power. The more you know about your condition the better equipped you will be to deal with it.

Many diabetes organizations give out free information to those afflicted with this condition. Some organizations provide emotional and even financial support. Treating a chronic disease like this is hard. And it can be made easier if you have people around you who understand what you are going through.

Many wealthy diabetic patients have taken it upon themselves to organize diabetes charities. Managing diabetes is expensive and they want to help other people battle it out as well. There are many charities in the United States that have dedicated themselves to improving the lives of those who have diabetes. In order to do this effectively they need adequate funding and dedicated people to run it and make this happen. Many charities have blessed a lot of diabetic patients and have helped them in dealing with their condition.

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